They are several matches to look forward to in 2020 European Championship qualifying on the 15th of November. However, one of the biggest games takes place in Group F as Romania take on Sweden at Arena Națională in Bucharest.
Spain have moved clear at the top of the group which leaves one place left for qualification to the tournament and both Sweden and Romania are in contention for that spot. As things stand ahead of the ninth round of games, Sweden are in 2nd place on 15 points and Romania are in 3rd on 14 points. With Sweden having a relatively easy final match at home in the group and Romania having to travel to Spain, the hosts really need to win this game.
Romania come into this game having won 4, drawn 2 and lost 2 of their 8 games in Group F. All 4 wins have come against the bottom two teams in the group, with victories coming at home and away against Malta and the Faroe Islands. The two draws have also come against the same team and Romania picked up a point both home and away against Norway.
Trends show Romania have lost only one of their last 7 matches and that was a home game against Spain in this group. They have been difficult to beat at home and that loss to Spain is their only defeat in the last 10 home matches. Both teams have scored in 4 of Romania’s last 5 home games.
Sweden travel to Bucharest knowing they have a home game against Faroe Islands still to come should they need to pick up points to qualify. However, if they can win this game Sweden will book their place up the 2020 European Championship.
Nytt matchställ, ny lagbild...#viärsverige #earnthejersey @adidasfootball ⚽️🇸🇪 pic.twitter.com/qWHr7mcypw— Svensk Fotboll (@svenskfotboll) November 12, 2019
Nytt matchställ, ny lagbild...#viärsverige #earnthejersey @adidasfootball ⚽️🇸🇪 pic.twitter.com/qWHr7mcypw
The Swedes have already defeated Romania at home in this group beating them 2-1 in the first round of matches. They have won 4, drawn 3 and lost one of their 8 games in Group F, with the other three victories coming against Malta and the Faroe Islands. Sweden also came close to beating Spain at home last time out but conceded an injury time equaliser.
Sweden have been difficult to beat away from home and have won 3 and drawn 2 of their last 6 away matches. They have seen over 2.5 goals scored in each of their last 4 games on the road.
Team news and Romania have the two top goal scorers in this group available to them for this game. Claudiu Keșerü and George Pușcaș are both expected to start for the hosts.
Sweden have named Victor Lindelöf who is recently back from injury and also have the experience of Andreas Granqvist in defence. Robin Quaison Is expected to play up-front.
Both Romania and Sweden have been among the goals in recent games and it wouldn't be a surprise to see this one end level with both teams scoring.